JLR

Tata Motors-owned luxury car maker Jaguar Land Rover, which is playing catch-up with German rivals Mercedes Benz, BMW and Audi, has begun assembling the newly-launched Land Rover Discovery Sport at its plant in Pune and the Jaguar XE, which is likely to be launched here next year, may follow suit.

JLR was already assembling the Jaguar XF, XJ, Land Rover’s Freelander and Ranger Rover Evoque at its Pune plant. The Discovery Sport replaces the Freelander.

JLR’s market share in India’s luxury car market currently stands at 9%, and sold about 2,800 units in 2014. Companies such as Mercedes and Audi have entry-level hatchbacks and sedans that JLR does not, said Rohit Suri, president, Jaguar Land Rover India. Entry-level models account for a large chunk of the luxury car market.

The XE will be Jaguar’s first entry-level model in India, likely to be launched next year, and the company has high hopes of it.